Pilgrim progress- a disciple on a journey!

  As the evening falls and as today I conclude just over 9 years service in the Office for Religious and Extern Priests in the Diocesan Curia, the word which remains with me is gratitude. Gratitude for the many opportunities which allowed me to walk with different consecrated men and women, priests from other countries and the People of God, particularly in the Archdiocese of Dublin. It has not always been easy but again I am grateful for colleagues who became friends and fellow pilgrims on the Christian path. I bring you all in my prayers. Here's to the next chapter.  #gratitude   #roma   #pddm

Martyrdom of St. Maximillian Kolbe, Museum Niepokolanow, Poland On this feastday a few years ago I happened to be on my home visit and was attending the morning Mass. Our then  Parish Priest, Canon Devine, during the homily shared about the experience when in Sligo he met the man, Franciszek Gajowniczek,  for whom St. Maximillian Kolbe offered his life. It was a very moving story and I often reflected afterwards on two particular questions: "Could I ever be so selfless that I could offer my life for another?" and also "How would my life change if someone gave their very life for me?" But who was this saint Maximilian Kolbe? Born Raymond Kolbe on the 8th of January 1894 in Zdunska Wola, Poland which at that time was occupied by Russia. The Kolbe home was poor but full of love. He later became a Conventual Franciscan Friar.  Around 1906, an event took place that marks a fundamental milestone in the life of the young boy. His mother her...

Finally a day without rain which permitted an early morning walk by the sea and the opportunity to reflect on today's liturgy. The sea was very calm this morning but the Gospel challenges us to see how we react when the storms of life threaten to submerge us. The words of Jesus to Peter: "Courage, it is I, do not be afraid" is the invitation for us also to trust and keep our eyes firmly focused on Him. It is when Peter takes his eyes off Jesus, he begins to sink. We are the same, when our gaze, our focus is away from Jesus, we drown in our own confidence, securities and bravado.  Our faith grows when we take the next step...Peter had to physically get out of the boat and take a step! Whilst we may never 'walk on water', we are asked each day to take a step forward. Peter's courage to take that leap of faith led to the others in the boat making the act of faith: "Truly, you (Jesus) are the Son of God." The witness of others helps us grow in our faith....

  "The world must learn to look for the Transfigured Christ not in the neon lights of stardom and the loud voices of success but in the smallness of humility and constant fidelity, in the smallness of true and integrated personality, the compassionate heart of the true human being in which alone the glory and radiance of Christ can dwell, the only heart in which the Father shall be well-pleased! " (Pope Benedict XVI).  Happy feastday of the Transfiguration.

 On the 29th of July, as Church we celebrate the liturgical feastday of St. Martha, St. Mary and St. Lazarus, the friends of Jesus- a relatively new celebration gifted to the Church in 2021. It amplifies the original feastday of St. Martha, which interestingly was a celebration marked in the Roman Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox churches, and commemorated by the Lutheran Church and the Anglican Communion on this day. Personally, I always feel that Martha gets a bit of a raw deal, something like St. Thomas. She is remembered for fussing about and being anxious and yet we forget that hers was a great acclamation of faith “I believe that you are the Lord, the one who is to come”. This is quite similar to St. Thomas who is renowned for his disbelief and wanting to touch the wounds of Christ before He would believe. Yet from him we have one of the most poignant prayers, “My Lord and my God”. As we reflect upon the Bethany scene of Mary and Martha, with Martha being somewhat admonis...

Today within the Pauline Family, to which I belong, we celebrate the return to Heaven of a  little saint called Maggiorino Vigolungo. He was born in Benevello (Cuneo, North Italy) on May 6, 1904 into a family of humble farm workers but rich in the faith. A youth of sharp intelligence and lively temperament, he always sought to be the first in everything: in study, work, play and goodness. While still a little child, he met Fr. Alberione, Founder of the Pauline Family, and entrusted himself to his spiritual direction. He was enthusiastic for three things which were to become his ideal: to sanctify himself quickly; to become a priest; to become an apostle of the good press. He entered the Society of St Paul on October 15, 1916 at the age of twelve. Happy with his vocation and desirous to preach the Gospel by means of the press and the diffusion of good books and newspapers, he was to undergo many trials. But he knew how to respond firmly to those who opposed his decision. ...

Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. Mary Magdalene, Apostle to the Apostles. Saint Anselm of Canterbury said of her: "you are chosen because you are beloved and beloved because you are chosen of God”. If you look closely at the picture, you will see a little tear on the face of the saint. On her lips the Easter sequence places this cry of joy: Surrexit Christus, spes mea- Christ, my hope, has risen. Jesus transforms all our tears into paschal joy.  Happy feastday!